Download PDF
Journal of Pediatric Neurology 2021; 19(04): 240-246
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1709719
Original Article

Early Psychomotor Advantage in Moderately Preterm Twins Born between 32 and 33 Weeks

Laura Turriziani
1   Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology of the Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi,” University of Messina, Messina, Italy
,
Anna Cafeo
1   Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology of the Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi,” University of Messina, Messina, Italy
,
Gaetana Pino
1   Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology of the Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi,” University of Messina, Messina, Italy
,
Noemi Vetrano
1   Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology of the Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi,” University of Messina, Messina, Italy
,
Angela Alibrandi
2   Unit of Statistical and Mathematical Sciences, Department of Economics, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
,
Gabriella Di Rosa 
1   Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology of the Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi,” University of Messina, Messina, Italy
› Author Affiliations
› Further Information
Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Twin birth may represent a challenging event often associated with prematurity. We previously reported on developmental trajectories in preterm children categorized by gestational age. Based on the same study population, in this study we investigated the influence of gemellarity on the neurodevelopment of 73 twins (26.4%) and 207 singletons (73.6%), categorized into three groups according to their gestational age. The age of the achievement of developmental milestones between the three groups and the influence of preperinatal events on neurodevelopment were analyzed. An early neurodevelopmental advantage was detected in preterm twins born between 32 and 33 weeks. Environmental and nurturing factors may explain these findings.

Keywords

twins - milestones - preterm - development - psychomotor


Publication History

Received: 23 October 2019

Accepted: 02 March 2020

Article published online:
15 April 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

  • References

  • 1 Raz S, Piercy JC, Heitzer AM. et al. Neuropsychological functioning in preterm-born twins and singletons at preschool age. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2016; 22 (09) 865-877
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 Martin JA, Hamilton BE, Ventura SJ, Osterman MJ, Wilson EC, Mathews TJ. Births: final data for 2010. Natl Vital Stat Rep 2012; 61 (01) 1-72
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 3 Hamilton BE, Martin JA, Ventura SJ. Births: preliminary data for 2011. Natl Vital Stat Rep 2012; 61 (05) 1-18
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 4 Martin JA, Hamilton BE, Ventura SJ, Osterman MJ, Mathews TJ. Births: final data for 2011. Natl Vital Stat Rep 2013; 62 (01) 1-69 , 72
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 5 Russell RB, Petrini JR, Damus K, Mattison DR, Schwarz RH. The changing epidemiology of multiple births in the United States. Obstet Gynecol 2003; 101 (01) 129-135
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Mushinski M. Trends in multiple births. Stat Bull Metrop Life Insur Co 1994; 75 (03) 28-35
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Martin JA, Taffel SM. Current and future impact of rising multiple birth ratios on low birthweight. Stat Bull Metrop Life Insur Co 1995; 76 (02) 10-18
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Ory SJ. The national epidemic of multiple pregnancy and the contribution of assisted reproductive technology. Fertil Steril 2013; 100 (04) 929-930
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Alexander GR, Slay Wingate M, Salihu H, Kirby RS. Fetal and neonatal mortality risks of multiple births. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am 2005; 32 (01) 1-16 , vii
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Ingram Cooke RW. Does neonatal and infant neurodevelopmental morbidity of multiples and singletons differ?. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med 2010; 15 (06) 362-366
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Taylor CL, Rice ML, Christensen D, Blair E, Zubrick SR. Prenatal and perinatal risks for late language emergence in a population-level sample of twins at age 2. BMC Pediatr 2018; 18 (01) 41
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 12 Lorenz JM. Neurodevelopmental outcomes of twins. Semin Perinatol 2012; 36 (03) 201-212
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Briana DD, Malamitsi-Puchner A. Twins and neurodevelopmental outcomes: the effect of IVF, fetal growth restriction, and preterm birth. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2019; 32 (13) 2256-2261
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 Anderson V, Northam E, Hendy J, Wrennal J. Cognitive development. In: Developmental Neuropsychology. New York, NY: Psychology Press; 2005
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 15 Castiello U, Becchio C, Zoia S. et al. Wired to be social: the ontogeny of human interaction. PLoS One 2010; 5 (10) e13199
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 16 Di Rosa G, Cavallaro T, Alibrandi A. et al. Predictive role of early milestones-related psychomotor profiles and long-term neurodevelopmental pitfalls in preterm infants. Early Hum Dev 2016; 101: 49-55
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 17 Di Rosa G, Pironti E, Cucinotta F, Alibrandi A, Gagliano A. Gender affects early psychomotor milestones and long-term neurodevelopment of preterm infants. Infant Child Dev 2018; 28 (01) e2110
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 18 Haataja L, Mercuri E, Regev R. et al. Optimality score for the neurologic examination of the infant at 12 and 18 months of age. J Pediatr 1999; 135 (2 Pt 1): 153-161
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 19 Dubowitz LM, Dubowitz V, Palmer P, Verghote M. A new approach to the neurological assessment of the preterm and full-term newborn infant. Brain Dev 1980; 2 (01) 3-14
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 20 Griffiths R. The Abilities of Young Children. High Wycombe, UK: Test Agency; 1976
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 21 Kleinbaum DG, Klein M. Logistic Regression: A Self-Learning Text. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Springer; 2002
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 22 Rennie JM. Neonatal Cerebral Ultrasound. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press; 1997
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 23 Hayward KM, Johnston CC, Campbell-Yeo ML. et al. Effect of cobedding twins on coregulation, infant state, and twin safety. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 2015; 44 (02) 193-202
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 24 Romeo DM, Guzzardi S, Ricci D. et al. Longitudinal cognitive assessment in healthy late preterm infants. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2012; 16 (03) 243-247
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 25 Marseglia LM, Nicotera A, Salpietro V. et al. Hyperhomocysteinemia and MTHFR polymorphisms as antenatal risk factors of white matter abnormalities in two cohorts of late preterm and full term newborns. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2015; 2015: 543134
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 26 Li AM, Chau V, Poskitt KJ. et al. White matter injury in term newborns with neonatal encephalopathy. Pediatr Res 2009; 65 (01) 85-89
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 27 Spittle AJ, Cheong J, Doyle LW. et al. Neonatal white matter abnormality predicts childhood motor impairment in very preterm children. Dev Med Child Neurol 2011; 53 (11) 1000-1006
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar